Summer in New York, kick-started by soireés
In this edition of Friday Fête, Whitewall is sharing details on happenings across New York, including parties hosted by Panerai, Bacardi, and more.
Courtesy of Assouline.
Assouline
On Tuesday, May 9, Assouline raised a toast to its latest Travel from Home Candle collection at Hall Des Lumiéres. Pairing with its glorious “Travel” series, a collection of singular luxury books which immerse readers in the history of iconic cities across the globe, the newest offering by the legendary brand adds intoxicating scents to its storytelling journey. Famed perfumer Jérôme Epinette collaborated with Assouline to create six exclusive candles—Marrakech Flair, Gstaad Glam, Mykonos Muse, Ibiza Bohemia, Moon Paradise, and Tulum Gypset—that whisk you away to the getaway of your dreams within from your very home. Housed in elegant cream-colored ceramic, and embellished with palettes and symbols that correspond to a Travel Series book cover, each candle includes branded matches and a lustrous brass lid. Guests of the launch were transported from one dream destination to another, from the fiery warmth of palo santo on an après-ski affair, to the spicy caress of almond and tonka bean while lounging on the Aegean Sea.
Baz Luhrmann, Ai-Da, Tim Marlow; photo by Sansho Scott/BFA, courtesy of Bombay Sapphire.
Bombay Sapphire
On Wednesday, May 10, Bombay Sapphire joined forces with celebrated film director Baz Luhrmann, Director and Chief Executive of the Design Museum, London Tim Marlow, and remarkable robot artist Ai-Da to host the VIP opening of “Saw This, Made This” at The Chelsea Factory. The much-anticipated AI art extravaganza highlighted the cutting-edge social media submissions of Luhrmann’s #SawThisMadeThis challenge, an open call for artists to share their creations inspired by the poetic world around them. Art and entertainment Industry leaders such as Nneka Julia, Fabritzio Villalpando, Sophie Collé, and Roze Traore sipped at the art gallery/gin cocktail bar while Marlow moderated an unforgettable conversation on art and emotion with Luhrmann and the ever-witty Ai-Da.
Alex Lundqvist, Keytt Lundqvist, Alexander Hamer, Consuelo Vanderbilt, Scott Buccheit, Moriah Strongin, Naeem Delbridge; courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden.
New York Botanical Garden
On June 1 in the Bronx, the New York Botanical Garden presented a dazzling and meaningful black-tie evening honoring our bond with mother earth for its momentous summer exhibition. Conceived by distinguished artist Ebony G. Patterson, the site-specific installation titled “…things come to thrive…in the shedding…in the molting…,” was a thought-provoking journey through shimmering, exotic flora and sculptures of larger-than-life birds. Patterson skillfully layered complex histories of colonialism, race, and gender with an ode to our ravishing and ever-evolving environment. With the support of esteemed institutions such as Perrier-Jouët and French Bloom, as well as Hearst, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, the elegant cocktail hour within the exhibition space unfolded into a delicious dinner and plenty of dancing, with music by DJ Runna, in the dreamlike Conservatory Tent. NYBG Chairs such as Georgina Bloomberg, Gillian Hearst, and Sigourney Weaver attended alongside notable guests such as Fe Fendi, Eric Rutherford, Shar Simpson, and Lili Buffett.
Myles O’Neal and Heron Preston; photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images, courtesy of BACARDÍ Rum.
BACARDÍ x Stadium Goods
Last Wednesday evening in SoHo, BACARDÍ and Stadium Goods unveiled a vibrant preview of the BACARDÍ x Stadium GoodsSNEAK3ASY for an international crowd of esteemed creatives. The shop welcomed guests with limited edition merchandise, dynamic AR Snapchat mirrors, and made-to-order NFT sneakers designed by visionary Jeff Staple. The essence of an old-school speakeasy was evoked with a secret entrance, which gave way to a jubilant Caribbean celebration. Festive beverages flowed and music aficionados Heron Preston and DJ Myles O’Neal set the night aglow with magnetic dance beats for guests such as Grammy-Award nominated producer Vinylz, Grammy-Award winning producer Boi-1da, and more.
Courtesy of Panerai.
Panerai
Last Thursday at 711 Madison Avenue, Panerai opened Casa Panerai—the Italian watchmaker’s first flagship store in the United States. The distinct retail space, now standing as the brand’s largest boutique worldwide, welcomed an ensemble of VIP clients, patrons, and timepiece enthusiasts for an “Aperitivo in Piazza.” To capture the essence of an authentic Italian square, guests like Chris Pratt, Jean-Marc Pontroué (Panerai CEO), Alvaro Maggini (Panerai Creative Director), Phillipe Bonay (Panerai US Brand President), Aldis Hodge, Kelly Bensimon, Rōze Traore, Nick Wooster, and more celebrated in style beneath an ethereal blue resin wall clock, while enjoying the permanent coffee bar—Bar Italiano—for an unforgettable taste of La Dolce Vita.
Martha Stewart, Derrick Adams; photo by Yvonne Tnt/BFA, courtesy of The Glass House.
The Glass House
And over the weekend in New Canaan, Connecticut, The Glass House hosted its idyllic, annual Summer Party amidst storybook ponds and greenery, presented by Max Mara. Rejoicing in 16 years as a historic space and museum dedicated to the advancement of art and culture, Saturday’s fundraiser was an especially lively moment embracing dance, fashion, design, food, and music in the heavenly landscape. The highlight of the celebration was artist Derrick Adams’ innovative, limited edition benefit sculpture, Cool Down Pop (RBG) (2023). Cultural figureheads such as Martha Stewart, Omar-Eaton Martinez, Julia Chiang, Eric Rutherford, and Christa Carr enjoyed a chic open-air Max Mara shopping immersion along with beats by DJ Alexandra Richards and organic refreshments by Greenology. Opulent dance performances by Company SBB with Stefanie Batten Bland were juxtaposed with a scavenger hunt by Victorinox and a silent auction by Artsy featuring special pieces by artistic legends such as Cindy Sherman, Jeff Koons, Nan Goldin, and Massimo Vitali.
